How to overcome a lack of motivation at work

Stop

Not on top of your game? Finding it hard to concentrate? Intervention could be the order of the day to overcome a lack of motivation at work.

On a recent business trip, I asked my taxi driver how his day was going. In a lethargic tone he replied “Today is not my day."

Even though he had just started his shift, he seemed resigned to writing off the whole day. He was generous enough however to suggest that “It might be happening for someone else.”

His comment made me think how many of us go through an hour, a day, a week or even longer with limiting thoughts impeding our performance.

In a competitive environment can we afford to operate below our best for a prolonged period of time?

If you feel unproductive, below par and that it is 'not happening' for you, stop and intervene. It is better to take the time to change the way you feel and give yourself the opportunity to operate at a higher level of performance than attempt to plough on.

Here are some interventions that you may like to try if you are experiencing a lack of motivation at work:

Exercise

The most effective intervention for me is exercise, in particular swimming. “Is this guy nuts. I don’t have time for a swim!” I hear you say. After a swim my mind is clear, I feel good and I can perform at my best. I would rather ‘lose’ an hour to exercise and then interact with clients for five hours in a positive state than interact with clients for six when I am not at my best. If the swim option isn’t accessible or desirable then try a less time consuming exercise.

Play music

Different types of music can help you achieve different states.

Read

Read inspiring quotations or a passage from an author that has experienced a similar path to one that you want to travel.

Reassociate

Reassociate with your vision of what you want to achieve and with things that have gone well.

Relocate

Move to a physical location that is more conducive to performance. For example you could book a room or venue for a set period of time to work on specific projects and outcomes.

I hope some of these work for you, but clearly they will only work if you try them. So next time you are feeling that it is not your day, intervene and you are sure to get more out of the rest of the day. You can’t change the past, but you can choose to enhance your future.

I would love to hear about interventions that you find useful to overcome a lack of motivation at work.

Richard Woodward works with individuals, teams and organisations helping them become effective at developing business. His key focus is working with organisations seeking sponsorship and funding and businesses looking to attract more clients.

7 comments | Add your own

As a woman working from home I can always stop going nowhere on business matters and do some vacuuming, stew some fruit, or just go and hug a cow or a donkey. The first 2 make me feel I've achieved at least something which needed to be done, and the last makes me feel appreciated by those who love their 'mum'.
Sue Edmonds from Eureka, Hamilton, NZ
five yrs after quittiing corporate i still find the loneliness of soloville intrusive. more so when i feel deeply jaded and can't be bothered. what do i do? i go window shopping. i talk with shopkeepers. i would feel guilty that i should be doing business stuff but i'm not. eventually the guilt would get too much that's when i head back. sylvester tan from baulkham hills, sydney, australia
when I'm tired or listless I go out into the garden, read a motivational book, walk the dogs, phone a friend who I can rely on to be in the right mind space.
Di Case from Frenchs Forest
My solution is just to do anything different and usually that involves physical movement. Going for a walk, go check the post office, do the washing up, prune a few plants - anything that makes me get up and out of my chair and away from the computer. Melanie from Forestville
hello,am a newcommer to your site and am finding it quite useful.being a solo cabinet maker,i have found a way of utilising my skills and leftovers in a way that gets me out of the factory and out meeting other people,i found a low cost on site caravan that needed major repairs,it is so enjoyable to get out of the factory and spend a few days renovating and then i just sit back,relax and amire my work gerry from narellan,nsw
If I'm suffering from a lack of motivation, I'll make a decision to attend a daily gym class so someone else can kick my butt for an hour. It works wonders, sometimes we just need that physical release and someone to push us out of our comfort zone. Ben Angel www.nationwidenetworking.com from Melbourne
I totally agree with your article Richard. Exercise is my form of intervention, and not just for when I'm feeling unmotivated, but also for when I'm struggling with a complex project. If I make the effort to go out and do an intense run or MTB ride or gym session I find it forces me to concentrate 100% on what I'm doing at that time. So when I come back to the work project I am far more objective and focussed on it. Nick from Rotorua, New Zealand

7 comments | Add your own

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